2009 Planning Department Report
The Town of Farmington Planning Board consists of seven (7) regular members and three (3) alternate members, all of whom are appointed by the Board of Selectmen. In addition to their review of the various applications identified below, the role of the Planning Board is to develop and implement the appropriate tools to manage growth and development in the community.
During 2009, the Planning Board reviewed a total of 17 applications, as follows:
type of application |
# of Applications |
Minor Site Plan Review |
5 |
Major Site Plan Review |
3 |
Minor Subdivision (includes 2-lot and rear lot subdivisions) |
4 |
Major Subdivision |
2 |
Voluntary Lot Merger |
2 |
Excavation Permit |
1 |
These applications generated $8,225 in fees paid to the Planning Board.
The Planning Board also completed work on a number of amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance that were presented to the voters at the 2009 Town Meeting. Included in these amendments was the rezoning of the Route 11 corridor to encourage commercial and business development along this corridor.
With the Fire Chief, the Board also began work on a cistern policy for the Town, as well as a review of the Town’s existing fire protection regulations. The Board also began a review of the Town’s Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations to identify conflicts between these regulations and the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. The Board also worked on proposed amendments to the Watershed and Aquifer Protection Overlay Districts, as well as amendments to the Home Business and Home Occupation ordinances. The purpose of these amendments was to more clearly identify the intent of these ordinances.
2009 also brought a change to the Planning Department staff. Dan Merhalski resigned his position as Director of Planning and Community Development in July of this year. After an extensive search, the Town hired Kathy Menici to assume the Director’s position. Kathy brings with her over 20 years of planning experience in the State of New Hampshire, as well as 10 years of experience in real estate management and development. The Board welcomes Kathy and looks forward to taking advantage of her knowledge and experience as we plan for Farmington’s future.
I would also like to commend the Planning Department staff – Dennis Roseberry, Elaine Labrie and Brandy Sanger – and interim Planning Director Mike Garrepy for taking on additional responsibilities and keeping the Department running smoothly during this transition.
The Planning Board encourages residents to participate in the Board’s long range planning discussions. These discussions are held throughout the year at the Board’s monthly administrative meetings scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paul Parker, Chairman
A note from the Planner:
As the Town was without a full-time Planning Director since July of 2009, the items typically addressed in the Department’s annual report have been addressed in the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment reports.
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Planning Director. I began in this position on December 21, 2009, and bring with me nearly 20 years of New Hampshire planning experience.
I look forward to working with the residents of Farmington to address the challenges and opportunities that future growth and development will bring to the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Menici
2009 Code Enforcement Report
In 2009 the Code Enforcement Office reviewed plans and issued Eighty-Eight (88) Building permits; valued at Two Million, Five Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars ($2,565,833.00). The following table illustrates building activity in Farmington for 2009:
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
# Issued Permits |
Sq. Ft |
Fees |
Valuation |
Residential New Construction |
11 |
17720 |
$11,965.80 |
$1,547,153.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Manufactured Homes |
3 |
|
$ 765.37 |
$ 29,657.00 |
(mobile homes) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Additions |
9 |
2576 |
$ 2,676.60 |
$ 162,540.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Remodel |
7 |
n/a |
$ 2,677.82 |
$ 253,712.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Garages & Sheds |
20 |
9340 |
$ 3,954.57 |
$ 141,364.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Decks, Porches, Ramps |
24 |
4752 |
$ 1,798.55 |
$ 66,575.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bldg. Permit Extensions |
3 |
n/a |
$ 75.00 |
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Pools |
1 |
n/a |
$ 75.00 |
$ 5,200.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial New Construction |
2 |
4000 |
$ 1,025.00 |
$ 100,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Additions & Remodels |
8 |
2096 |
$ 3,097.14 |
$ 259,632.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Permit Extensions |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
88 |
40,484 |
$28,110.85 |
$2,565,833.00 |
Other permit issued by the Code Enforcement office were:
|
# Issued Permits |
Sep. Fees |
Signs |
13 |
$ 350.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical Permits |
70 |
$ 1,125.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plumbing Permits |
22 |
$ 150.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Permits |
18 |
$ 300.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
123 |
$ 1,925.00 |
Total 2008 Issued Building Permits – 97
Issued Electrical Permits – 54
Issued Plumbing Permits – 26
In addition there were Forty-Five (45) Certificates of Occupancy issues for current and past issued Building Permits.
The Department also investigated Ten (10) formal complaints as well as issued over 50 violation letters, conducted One (1) Day Care Inspection. Assisted in applications for Special Exceptions, Site Reviews Request for Variance, Earth Removal Permits, conducted inspections on Campgrounds, Mobile Home Parks and Junk Yards for permit renewals.
The Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Roseberry and Secretary Elaine Labrie assisted many members of the public who came in to the office with questions.
__________________________________
Dennis Roseberry, Code Enforcement Officer
Director of Planning and Community Development
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